Sterotyping of rural Kentucky (Louisville: elementary school, restaurants, military)

[Visvaldis]

Eastern Kentucky is very scenic. I wonder how much longer before the hills become plateaus and the valleys are filled.

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by blue_eyedgirl

Ugh, I agree with you 100%. I don't live in Kentucky anymore (unfortunately ) but whenever I tell people where I'm from I always get the stupid remarks...."are your parents cousin?"...."did you grow up with plumbing?"......"hey, your wearing shoes!" The one that always ticks me off the most is the assumption that we are all poorly educated or when I correct that and state that I not only graduated high school but also college as well they can't believe that because our universities are not "real" universities.

Strange, no one asks me such ridiculous questions as that when I tell them where I'm from.....

[InLondon]

Originally Posted by tkdmom

I have dear friends that moved to the Winchester area. They are originally from San Diego. They've been there for a couple months now, and they call me all the time, telling me how wonderful it is, and how NICE the people are. They said it's a breath of fresh air (compared to CA ), and they love it, and most important, there's no road rage. I've heard from others too, that Kentuckians are very nice folks. Also, when you say "hello" to someone in KY, they actually respond back, that doesn't happen here in CA.

Good to hear they like Winchester.

[blue_eyedgirl]

Originally Posted by InLondon

Strange, no one asks me such ridiculous questions as that when I tell them where I'm from.....

Yeah, people do that and always think they are being funny but after awhile it gets old. The most comments I have gotten so far have been from the people up here. That always cracks me up too because its hilarious to see people from Alaska pass judgement about Kentucky. Alaska is not exactly a cultural metropolis. Its a cool place but by far more rural than Kentucky.

Another one that gets me is when Northerners assume that because we are nice and polite its being fake friendly.

[timelesschild]

I used to get these ridiculous questions when I lived in Missouri. I think they had a self-image problem that they were fighting against, to show as much ridicule as they did to a neighboring state.

I have also had well-meaning people from the northeast to try to explain to me what a "mall" is (a WHOLE BUNCH of stores ALL STUCK TOGETHER!!) and ask whether Kentucky's roads are all dirt, or are some of them starting to be paved...

On the west coast, I think the only cultural stereotyping I have encountered is a slight anti-southern sentiment, which comes more from liberal politics than anything else.

[Davart]

Originally Posted by timelesschild

I used to get these ridiculous questions when I lived in Missouri. I think they had a self-image problem that they were fighting against, to show as much ridicule as they did to a neighboring state.

I have also had well-meaning people from the northeast to try to explain to me what a "mall" is (a WHOLE BUNCH of stores ALL STUCK TOGETHER!!) and ask whether Kentucky's roads are all dirt, or are some of them starting to be paved...

On the west coast, I think the only cultural stereotyping I have encountered is a slight anti-southern sentiment, which comes more from liberal politics than anything else.

Remind them that the Beverly Hillbillies were from the Missouri Ozarks ... not the south.

[southernnaturelover]

You folks should try being from Alabama, the stereotypes are really bad. Some folks (mostly from the northeast and west coast) are downright militant and hostile when they find out where I'm from.

[Visvaldis]

Originally Posted by timelesschild

I used to get these ridiculous questions when I lived in Missouri. I think they had a self-image problem that they were fighting against, to show as much ridicule as they did to a neighboring state.

I have also had well-meaning people from the northeast to try to explain to me what a "mall" is (a WHOLE BUNCH of stores ALL STUCK TOGETHER!!) and ask whether Kentucky's roads are all dirt, or are some of them starting to be paved...

On the west coast, I think the only cultural stereotyping I have encountered is a slight anti-southern sentiment, which comes more from liberal politics than anything else.

Many Americans are ignorant about various places in their own country. Some haven't traveled very much, or have only visited large cities.
I wonder what can Kentuckians (either individuals or government) do to correct the stereotyping?
What kind of Kentuckians reinforce the stereotyping?
What kind of Kentuckians do not fit as stereotypes?

[missymomof3]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

You folks should try being from Alabama, the stereotypes are really bad. Some folks (mostly from the northeast and west coast) are downright militant and hostile when they find out where I'm from.

It is sad that people can be so downright ignorant

[erickp]

I graduated from high school in 1971 in rural Kentucky. For our Senior trip, we had a class trip to New York City planned. After we made reservations, our principal recieved a call from the concierge of the hotel, wanting to make sure we understood that it was customary to wear shoes in the lobby, restaurants, and public areas of the hotel.

I never saw him so flustered in my life. He later told us he wanted to call the guy a s.o.b., but was laughing so hard he could barely talk.